Apricot tree maned &#39;Suapritwelve&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct apricot variety,  Prunus armeniaca  cv. ‘Suapritwelve’ is characterized by having large fruit (averaging approximately 60 mm in diameter) with a high sugar content at 17 brix and smooth skin.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES CLAIMED

Prunus armeniaca

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Suapritwelve’

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricottree, herein after referred to by the cultivar name ‘Suapritwelve.’ Thenew variety was first originated by hybridized in May 2009 by Terry A.Bacon as breeder number: ‘AP1063’.

The new variety is characterized by having large fruit (averagingapproximately 60 mm in diameter) with a high sugar content at 17 brixand smooth skin.

The seed parent is unknown, being from a collection of seed from hybridseedlings. The pollen parent is also unknown (open-pollenated). Theparent varieties were first crossed in February 2006, with the date offirst sowing being February 2007 and the date of first flowering beingFebruary 2009. The new apricot variety ‘Suapritwelve’ was firstasexually propagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. inJanuary 2010 by grafting.

The new variety ‘Suapritwelve’ most closely resembles ‘Suaprieight’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,232) but the fruit of the new variety has ahigher sugar level at 17 brix, compared to 15 brix for ‘Suaprieight’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,232). Additionally, the new variety‘Suapritwelve’ has a smoother skin than ‘Suaprieight’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 10,232). This makes the new variety more suitable for packinghousepacklines, compared to the bumpy skin of ‘Suaprieight’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 10,232) which contributes to more marking on a packline.

The new variety ‘Suapritwelve’ has been shown to maintain itsdistinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagationsby, for example, grafting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new apricot variety‘Suapritwelve’. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface ofthe leaves, a view of the fruit as a whole, and a sectional view of afruit divided across its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavityand the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration wastaken shortly after the fruit was picked and the colors are as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color as used in common speech is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 3 year old‘Suapritwelve’ plants grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County,Calif., during 2013 and is believed to apply to plants of the varietygrown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

-   Tree:    -   -   General.—(measurements taken on 3 year old tree unless            otherwise noted). Tree Size: Medium. Normal for most apricot            varieties. Reaches a height of 3.5 meters with normal            pruning. Spread: 3 meters. Tree Vigor: Medium. Growth of            approximately 1.8 to approximately 2 meters height in the            first growing season. Tree Growth: Semi-upright spreading.            Tree Productivity: Productive. Tree Form: Vase formed.            Bearer: Regular. Fertility: Unknown. Tree Canopy Density:            Medium. Pruning is required to open tree vase shape,            allowing more sunlight to center of tree. Tree Hardiness:            Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California. Winter            chilling requirement is approximately 550 hours at or below            7.2° C. Tree Disease Resistance/Susceptibility: No specific            testing for plant disease resistance/susceptibility has been            undertaken. Under close observation in the vicinity of            Wasco, Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit            disease resistance/susceptibility has been observed.        -   Trunk.—(measurements at 30 cm above soil line). Trunk            Diameter: Approximately 21 cm. Trunk Texture: Smooth to            slightly shaggy. Trunk Color: About Medium Greyed-Green 197D            in exposed areas to Dark Greyed-Orange 166A in recesses,            becoming darker with age.        -   Branches.—(measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil            line). Branch Diameter: Approximately 9 cm. Branch Texture:            Smooth on 1^(st) year wood, increasing roughness with tree            age. Branch Color: Branches vary from about Medium            Greyed-Green 197D to Medium Greyed-Green 197B in exposed            areas and Medium Greyed-Orange 165B in recesses. Branch            Lenticels: Few. Size: Medium. Density (no./cm²): Variable,            about 5. Color: About Dark Greyed-White 156A. Typical size:            Approximately 4 mm in length and approximately 2 mm wide.        -   Flowering Shoots.—(Data taken in July at midpoint of            current-season growth. Color and sizes described may vary            due to differences in sunlight, vigor and temperatures.).            Flowering Shoot Size: Average diameter: approximately 8 mm.            Flowering Shoot Color: Topside: About Dark Greyed-Orange            165A. Underside: About Dark Greyed-Orange 165A. Flowering            Shoot Lenticels: Size: Medium. Color: About Dark            Greyed-White 156A. Diameter: Approximately 0.5 mm. Flowering            Shoot Leaf Buds: Shape: Ovoid. Width: Approximately 1.5 mm.            Length: Approximately 2 mm. Color: About Dark Greyed-Orange            165A. Flowering Shoot Flower Buds: Shape: Elongated ovoid.            Width: Approximately 1.5 mm. Length: Approximately 4 mm.            Color: About Dark Greyed-Orange 165A. Number: Usually 2.            Internode Length: Medium and variable, approximately 1-4 cm            midway on flowering shoots. Density of Buds: Medium.            Distribution: Generally isolated on spurs and one year old            shoots and older wood. Ration of Wood (leaf) Bud to            Flowering Shoots : 1/2.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaves.—(Data taken in July on fully expanded leaf at            midpoint of current-season growth. Color and sizes described            may vary due to differences in sunlight, vigor and            temperatures). Leaf Size: Medium. Length: Medium,            approximately 7 cm. Width: Medium, approximately 5.5 cm.            Leaf Thickness: Medium. Leaf Color: Upper surface: About            Dark Green 135A. Lower surface: About Medium Green 136C.            Leaf Form: Circular. Leaf Tip: Cuspidate. Leaf Base:            U-shaped. Leaf Margin: Crenate. Venation: Pinately net            veined. Vein Color: About Light Green 138C. Leaf Surface            Texture: Smooth. Leaf Blade (ration length/width): Small.            Shape in Cross Section: Flat. Angle at Apex: Medium.            Profile: Flat. Leaf Blade Tip: Curved downwardly. Angle of            Tip: Acute. Undulation of Margin: Slight.        -   Petiole.—Length: Medium, approximately 25 mm. Diameter:            Approximately 1 mm. Color: About Medium Green 138B, becoming            Medium Red 42B in sunlight.        -   Stipules.—Number/Leaf Bud: Approximately 0 to 2. Typical            Length: Approximately 3 mm. Color: About Medium Green 139C.            Persistence: Fall off.        -   Glands.—Form: Globose. Number: Approximately 0 to 3.            Position: On petiole, alternate. Size: Medium, approximately            0.6 mm. Color: About Dark Greyed-Orange 165A.-   Flowers:    -   -   General.—First Bloom: February 22. Location of First bloom:            Upper portion of the canopy. Full Bloom: February 26.            Location of Full bloom: Middle of the canopy. Time of Bloom:            Medium. Duration of Bloom: Medium, about 10 days. Diameter            of Fully Open Flower: Medium, Approximately 27 mm. Flower            Aroma: Very slight. Shape: Rosaceous.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Medium, approximately 3 mm. Diameter:            Medium, approximately 2 mm. Color: About Light Yellow-Green            145C, with highlights of about Medium Red 46D. Pubescence:            Absent.        -   Petals.—Number: 5. Arrangement: Overlapping. Length:            Approximately 12 mm. Diameter: Approximately 10 mm. Shape:            Circular. Apex shape: Rounded. Base shape: Narrows at point            of attachment. Color: Inner Surface: About Light Red 36D.            Outer Surface: About Light Red 36D. Surface texture: Smooth.            Margins: Smooth and slightly undulating. Frequency of            Flowers with Double Petals: None. Margin Waviness: Weak.            Base Angle: Wide. Pubescence of Inner Surface: Absent.            Pubescence of Outer Surface: Absent.        -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Length: Approximately 6 mm. Diameter:            Approximately 4.5 mm. Shape: Broad ovate. Color: About            Medium Red 42B. Surface Texture: Smooth. Margins: Smooth,            entire. Positioning: Adpressed to petals. Pubescence of            Inner. Surface: Absent. Pubescence of Outer Surface: Absent.            Frequency of Flowers with Double Sepals: None.        -   Stamens.—Number: Approximately 20. Length: Approximately            11 mm. Filament Color: About White 155A. Anther Color: About            Medium Yellow 14C. Pollen Color: About Medium Yellow 14C.            Position: Perigynous.        -   Pistil.—Number: Usually one. Average Length: Approximately            8 mm. Ovary Diameter: Approximately 3 mm. Pubescence:            Medium. Stigma Extension in Comparison to Anthers: Below            with anthers. Frequency of Supplementary Pistils: Few.        -   Receptacle.—Depth: Medium, approximately 4 mm. Pubescence of            Inner Surface (at pink bud stage): Absent. Pubescence of            Outer Surface: Absent.-   Fruit: (Data taken at firm-ripe on mature tree managed to obtain    maximum quality under conditions stated in Description of Variety.    Timing, colors and sizes described may vary due to differences in    sunlight, vigor and temperatures)    -   -   General.—Fruit Harvest: Date of First Pick: Approximately            May 24. Date of Last Pick: Approximately June 3. Date of            Description: Approximately May 28. Maturity when Described:            Firm. Season Ripening: Medium. Position of Maximum Diameter:            Towards the middle. Symmetry About the Suture: Nearly            symmetrical.        -   Fruit size.—Length (stem end to apex): Approximately 60 mm.            Diameter in Line with Suture Plane: Approximately 60 mm.            Diameter Perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately 60 mm.            Average Weight: Approximately 112 gm.        -   Fruit form.—Viewed from Apex: Round, nearly symmetric.            Viewed from Side, Facing Suture: Rounded, nearly symmetric.            Viewed from Side, Perpendicular to Suture: Rounded, slightly            asymmetric.        -   Fruit apex shape.—Rounded, slightly indented at tip.        -   Fruit stem cavity.—Shape: Rounded. Depth: Medium,            approximately 1 cm. Breadth: Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Fruit stem.—Length: Medium, Approximately 8 mm. Diameter:            Approximately 2 mm. Color: About Medium Green 143C.            Adherence to Stone: Medium.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness: Medium. Adherence to Flesh: Medium.            Surface texture: Smooth to slightly irregular. Pubescence:            Moderate to scant, short, does not need roll up when rubbed.            Bloom: Slight. Ground Color: About Light Orange-Red 31 C.            Overcolor: About Dark Red 45A. Taste: Slightly tart.            Reticulation: Slight. Tendency to Crack: Slight, in wet            season.        -   Fruit flesh.—Ripens: Evenly. Texture: Melting. Fibers: Few.            Flavor: Sweet-mild. Brix: Approximately 17°. Juice:            Moderate. Aroma: Medium-high. Color: About Medium Orange-Red            31A. Anthocyanin Color under Skin: Absent. Anthocyanin Color            of Flesh: Absent. Anthocyanin Color around Stone: Absent.            Acidity: Medium. Sugar Content: Medium. Eating Quality:            Good. Stone/Flesh ratio: 4 g/112 g. Firmness: Medium.        -   Pit cavity size.—Length: Approximately 25 mm. Diameter in            Line with Suture Plane: Approximately 25 mm. Diameter            Perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately 9 mm. Color:            About Medium Orange-Red 31A.        -   Fruit use.—Fresh market.        -   Fruit shipping/keeping quality.—Medium.        -   Stone.—Stone Freeness: Cling, over entire surface. Degree of            Adherence to Flesh: Medium. Size: Medium. Size Compared to            Fruit: Small. Length: Medium, approximately 25 mm. Diameter            in Line with Suture Plane: Approximately 25 mm. Diameter            Perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately 9 mm. Angle of            Stalk End: Obtuse. Stone Form (viewed from side): Round.            Stone Form (viewed from stem end): Oval, narrow. Stone Form            (viewed from ventral end): Flattened. Stone Base Shape:            Rounded. Stone Apex Shape: Nearly rounded. Hilum: Narrow.            Stone Surface: Slightly pitted with a few ridges extending            the length. Stone Halves: Nearly equal. Stone Ridges:            Continuous. Stone Outgrowing Keel: Partly developed. Stone            Tendency to Split: Rare. Stone Color: About Medium            Greyed-Orange 174B. Position of Maximum: Middle. Sides:            Nearly equal. Pits: Shallow, irregular. Fibers: Retains            short fiber-like threads along the ridges. Ventrical Edge:            Thin with slight wing towards middle. Dorsal Edge: Medium,            continuous.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree named‘Suapritwelve’ as herein illustrated and described.